Latest news with #EU-UKSummit
Agriland
19-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Questions raised on ‘access' to vet medicines in NI following new EU/UK deal
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) today (Monday, May 19) raised fresh questions on the issue of continued 'access' to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland following confirmation of a new deal between the EU and the UK. The BVA said it welcomed commitments in the deal on animal welfare and UK biosecurity but voiced its concerns on what it described as the 'absence' of a solution to the Northern Ireland vet medicines issue. Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux, president of the BVA, said: 'Today's announcements coming out of the EU-UK Summit are good news, striking the right balance between reducing trade friction whilst maintaining the UK's high standards of animal welfare and disease control. 'However, with no clear direction on the issue of access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland, which has serious implications not only for animal health and welfare, but also public health, there is still work to do. 'A permanent resolution to this long-standing question is urgently needed and we will continue to press the government for solutions to avoid potentially devastating consequences'. EU/UK deal The deal between the UK and the EU – also designed to cut red tape on food and drink imports and exports – is a 'welcome step', according to the processor-led Dairy UK organisation. Dr. Judith Bryans, chief executive of Dairy UK, said today it was particularly pleased to see a common understanding on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regulations, which she described as 'a critical and welcome step forward for dairy trade'. 'As our largest and oldest trading partner, unencumbered trade with the EU is incredibly valuable for the dairy and agri-food sector and the ease in administrative requirements will be very welcome for our members,' she added. The SPS agreement, which was announced following the first EU-UK Summit in London, will see the UK and the European Commission 'work towards establishing a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area'. The post-Brexit deal has been described as a 'new chapter' for the UK/EU relationship and will kick start talks on a range of wider issues including security, defence and fishing access. According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) the EU remains the UK's most important market for agri-food exports. It believes that any agreement that lowers trade friction, smoothing trade between the UK and the EU 'would be good news for UK agricultural exporters.' 'Strengthening market access will benefit UK meat exporters, support food supply chain resilience, and reinforce the UK's position as a key trading partner with the EU,' Ouafa Doxon, AHDB head of market access, said today. European Council President António Costa, UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer and European Commission President,Ursula von der Leyen Source: European Union Meanwhile the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), which is the supply industry's leading trade association, said it also welcomed confirmation that an SPS is to be established. In a statement it said that 'divergence and duplication of SPS approaches have caused frequent, frustrating and unpredictable barriers at borders in both directions' which it said had impacted the trade of vital agricultural goods. 'This has often led to increased complexity, delays, and costs for AIC businesses exporting and importing goods between Great Britain, the EU, and Northern Ireland,' it added. However the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) remained unconvinced by details of the new deal. Its president Victoria Vyvyan said: 'Although the EU is a key market for UK produce, and lower export costs would help make our goods more competitive for European consumers, signing up to allow the European Court of Justice to impose decisions affecting our goods is an unnecessary surrender of control. 'We need immediate reassurance that the UK will have a voice in the decision-making process in the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement. 'Cutting red tape on food exports and plant and animal health for trade sounds positive if unlikely, but tying us to an agreement that involves European Court of Justice oversight is deeply concerning and could hinder our ability to strike future trade deals with other countries.' Northern Ireland But this is in contrast to food and drink industry leaders in Northern Ireland who have welcomed details of the new EU/ UK deal. Professor Ursula Lavery, chair of the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) and technical and research and development director at Pilgrim's Europe, said: 'Since the referendum and in all subsequent negotiations, the priority for food and drink manufacturers in Northern Ireland has been for a durable negotiated solution that maintains frictionless trade and expands the opportunities for our businesses to thrive. 'The food and drink industry in Northern Ireland therefore broadly welcomes today's announcement as a step to potentially easing the administrative burden on businesses here, and helping offset some of the significant on-costs firms have experienced recently, including national insurance rises and extended producer responsibility.'
CNBC
19-05-2025
- Politics
- CNBC
The EU and UK reach a deal on fishing, energy, and more
Steve Sedgwick discusses the deal struck between the European Union and United Kingdom from the sidelines of the EU-UK Summit.
Business Recorder
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
EU and UK reach tentative agreement ahead of summit, say EU officials
BRUSSELS: The European Union and Britain reached a tentative agreement on defence and security, fisheries and youth mobility ahead of a EU-UK summit on Monday, paving the way for British firms to participate in large EU defence contracts, EU officials said. Representatives of EU governments in Brussels received a text of a Common Understanding between Britain and the EU and the document is now being approved by all 27 EU governments, the officials said. EU wins post-Brexit fishing row with Britain British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa will meet later on Monday in London. 'There is an agreement on the different texts and parallel aspects of the EU-UK Summit,' one EU diplomat said. 'From my understanding, all member states seem to be happy with what's put on the table as the summit is about to start. There is now an ongoing written procedure to have the formal agreement of all member states but it shouldn't cause any problem,' the diplomat said. Britain is poised to agree the most significant reset of ties with the European Union since Brexit on Monday, seeking closer collaboration on trade and defence to help grow the economy and boost security on the continent. US recession no longer likely after trade truce, says Barclays 'With the positive signs coming from the negotiators in London in the last days and hours, the scene is now all set for a very successful and constructive reset of the relationship, that both the EU and UK will benefit from,' the diplomat said.
Agriland
08-05-2025
- Health
- Agriland
MEP seeks more funds for farmers to deal with animal disease
In a meeting with European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi, MEP Maria Walsh called for increased support for Irish farmers dealing with animal disease. MEP Maria Walsh met with Varhelyi, the Hungarian Commissioner responsible for health and animal welfare, in Strasbourg this week to discuss the concerns of Irish farmers, including animal disease and live animal transportation. MEP Walsh is a full member of the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee. MEP Maria Walsh said: 'Animal diseases and bovine TB [tuberculosis] in particular continue to plague farms across the island of Ireland. 'I met with Commissioner Varhelyi to highlight this challenge and pushed for urgent action and financing from the European Commission. 'In the year to March 2025, there were 41,548 cases of bovine TB detected on Irish farms – an increase of over 11,600 on the previous 12 months. This comes with a hefty price tag; in 2021, direct costs of bovine TB were estimated at €105 million,' MEP Walsh added. The Fine Gael MEP for the Midlands North West said that to eradicate bovine TB in Ireland, cross-border cooperation and increased funding supports are needed. 'I recently met with the head veterinarian of Northern Ireland, and urged Commissioner Varhelyi to increase cooperation with the UK Government on this issue,' Walsh continued. 'I also reiterated my calls for an updated EU animal disease strategy, and crucially lobbied for the budget to be re-introduced to combat TB. 'The transportation of live animals is a critical issue for Irish farmers at the moment. In order for our farmers and agricultural businesses to access the EU single market, we need sea exports to continue under the current rules. 'I raised the need to protect Ireland's derogation for transport, stressing the unique challenges we face as an island nation – which I believe the commissioner understands,' she said. The MEP stressed that next week's EU-UK Summit is crucial for the Irish agricultural sector, and has called on the commission to use the opportunity to ensure farmers and businesses thrive across the island of Ireland.
Times of Oman
07-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
UK PM Starmer, European leaders call US tariffs "new era for global economy"
London: Following US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariff move, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer engaged in discussions with key international leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, with all the leaders saying that this marks a "new era for the global economy." In a statement released on Sunday, Downing Street stated, "The Prime Minister has today continued to speak with international leaders including the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and leader of the German Christian Democratic Union party Friedrich Merz." "Discussing the announcement of additional tariffs by the United States, they all agreed that - as with defence and security - this is a new era for the global economy. Europe must rise to meet the moment and ensure the impact on hard-working people is minimised, while working closely with other countries to help maintain wider economic stability," the statement added. Starmer also expressed disappointment over the new tariffs but emphasised that the UK would continue to act in its "national interest," working to strengthen its economy and global trade relationships. The Downing Street further said, "The UK PM reiterated that he was disappointed by the new tariffs and stressed he will continue to act in the UK's national interest -- remaining calm while preparing for all eventualities. He updated on his plans to go further and faster to strengthen the UK's economy and ensure it is as resilient as possible and can withstand these kinds of global shocks. He added that it would be important for the UK to strengthen its trading relationships with others across the globe at the same time." Meanwhile, in a post on X, Ursula von der Leyen wrote, "Just spoke with @Keir_Starmer and shared my concern over the impact of the US tariffs on the global economy. We also discussed security and defence and the upcoming EU-UK Summit." On April 2, Trump announced widespread tariffs on countries worldwide. In February, soon after taking charge for the second time, Trump outlined a new trade policy focused on fairness and reciprocity and said that the US would implement reciprocal tariffs, charging other countries the same tariffs they impose on American goods. As per the announcements, the import tariffs on other major countries are China (34 per cent), the European Union (20 per cent), Vietnam (46 per cent), Taiwan (32 per cent), Japan (24 per cent), India (26 per cent), the United Kingdom (10 per cent), Bangladesh (37 per cent), Pakistan (29 per cent), Sri Lanka (44 per cent), and Israel (17 per cent). From April 9 onwards, countries with the largest trade deficits with the US will face higher, individualised tariffs. India is one of the countries affected, with a 26 per cent tariff imposed on all its exports.
